Stretch exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

A stretch exercise apparatus is durable, low cost, and easy to use for stretching the muscles extending from the bottom of the feet to all the way up to the back. The stretch exercise apparatus includes a base plate, a foot plate rotatably connected to the base plate, an angle adjuster established on either the base plate or the foot plate, engagement members established on the other base plate or foot plate without the angle adjuster to engage with the tip of the angle adjuster to set a desired angle, which greatly improves the ease of use. In a further aspect, a plurality of permanent magnets are embedded in both left and right foot pads on the foot plate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for stretching themuscles, and more particularly, to a stretch exercise apparatus which isdurable, low cost, and easy to use for stretching the muscles extendingfrom the bottom of the feet to all the way up to the back.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of stretch exercise apparatus are in the market, anexample of which is shown in Japanese laid-open patent publicationnumber 59-115064.

The stretch exercise apparatus disclosed in this patent publication hasa structure which includes a base plate and a step plate rotatablyattached to the base plate by hinges. The step plate is rotated and anangle adjuster is inserted or attached between the base plate and stepplate. As a result, the step plate can be set to a desired anglerelative to the base plate. Then, by standing on the step plate in sucha way the heels are positioned lower than the toes, the musclesextending from the bottom of the feet to all the way up to the back,especially, calves can be stretched.

This type of stretch exercise apparatus is effective, for example, whenapplied before and after engaging in various sports. However, thestructure of the conventional stretch exercise apparatus involves thefollowing problems. First, it is inconvenient to use. This is becausethe angle adjuster is provided as a separate element, where it has to beremoved and reinserted every time when the angle of the step plate isset or changed, making it bothersome to use the apparatus.

Further, in the conventional stretch exercise apparatus, the adjustablerange of the angle of the step plate is not large enough. Thus, it isnot possible to fully accommodate the stretch exercise apparatus with avariety of people with different levels and motives. When the angle ofthe step plate changes, the manner of fitting the heels of the user tothe bottom of the base plate changes as well. However, in theconventional stretch exercise apparatus, the structure of the part thatthe heels contact with the step plate is fixed, making the user feeluncomfortable especially when the angle of the step plate is relativelylarge. A further problem involved in the conventional stretch exerciseapparatus is a lack of durability due to the structure and the materialsused.

Therefore, there is a need of a stretch exercise apparatus that cansolve the problems noted above so that it can accommodate a variety ofusers and can be used without any discomfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a stretchexercise apparatus that is durable enough and easy to use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a stretchexercise apparatus that is comfortable to use for stretching the musclesfor a long time.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a stretchexercise apparatus with a wider range of adjustable angles.

The stretch exercise apparatus of the present invention is comprised ofa base plate, a foot plate rotatably connected to the base plate, anangle adjuster established on a lower surface of the foot plate, and anengagement member established on an upper surface of the base plate toengage with a tip of the angle adjuster, thereby allowing a desiredangle of the foot plate relative to the base plate to be set by properlyshifting the angle adjuster and engaging its tip with the engagementmember. Alternatively, the angle adjuster can be formed on an uppersurface of the base plate and the engagement member can be formed on alower surface of the foot plate.

Furthermore, the first angle adjuster can be structured by a first angleadjuster for relatively large angle of the foot plate and a second angleadjuster for relatively small angle of the foot plate, resulting in awider range of adjustable angle of the foot plate. The wider range ofadjustment angle would provide those users with more avid desire forstretching the muscles.

Further, the first angle adjuster can be configured by a pair of firstangle adjusting arms on the left and right sides, and the second angleadjuster can be configured by a pair of second angle adjusting arms onthe left and right sides, where the first angle adjusting arm is longerthan the second angle adjusting arm.

The stretch exercise apparatus further includes a pair of heel supportsmounted on the base plate. The heel supports can properly rotateaccording to the change in the heel position based on the change in theangle of the foot plate. Therefore, even if the angle of the foot platechanges between various degrees, the heel supports can be set to anoptimum position, thereby eliminating the discomfort during stretchingexercise.

Further, an elastic member for reducing the weight of the foot platewhen adjusting the angle can be mounted between the said foot plate andbase plate. In this case, for example, when the foot plate is raised toincrease the angle of the foot plate, one can do so without feeling theweight of the foot plate. An example of the elastic member is a coilspring which can be installed at the portion where the base plate andthe foot plate are connected rotatably. One end of coil spring isengaged with base plate, and the other end is engaged with the footplate thus producing an upward force in the foot plate.

Preferably, a scale for displaying the amount of flexibility whenstretching on the foot plate can be mounted, thus, improving the ease ofuse when the user wants to keep track of the progress.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance of the stretchexercise apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the structure of the stretch exerciseapparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing the structure of the stretch exerciseapparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view seen from the direction of arrow IV in FIG. 2showing the structure of the stretch exercise apparatus in the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view seen from the direction of arrow V in FIG. 2showing the structure of the stretch exercise apparatus in the firstembodiment of the present invention when the foot plate is in parallelwith the base plate.

FIG. 6 is a side view seen from the direction of arrow V in FIG. 2showing the structure of the stretch exercise apparatus in the firstembodiment of the present invention when the foot plate is tiltedrelative to the base plate.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing an example of structure of thestretch exercise apparatus in the first embodiment of the presentinvention taken along the VII-VII line of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view showing an example of structure of thestretch exercise apparatus in the first embodiment of the presentinvention taken along the VIII-VIII line of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view showing an example of structure of thestretch exercise apparatus in the first embodiment taken along the IX-IXline of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing the operation of the stretch exerciseapparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention when the footplate is in parallel with the base plate.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing the operation of the stretch exerciseapparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention when the footplate is in parallel with the base plate.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing the operation of the stretch exerciseapparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention when the footplate is tilted relative to the base plate.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the operation of the stretch exerciseapparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention when the footplate is tilted relative to the base plate.

FIG. 14A is a plan view showing an example of structure of the foot matused in the stretch exercise apparatus in the second embodiment of thepresent invention, and FIG. 14B is a cross sectional view of the footmat taken along the b-b line of FIG. 14A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The first embodiment of stretch exercise apparatus in accordance withthe present invention will be explained below with reference to FIGS.1-13. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance of thestretch exercise apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a planview of the stretch exercise apparatus, FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof,FIG. 4 is a side view thereof seen from the direction of arrow IV inFIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a side view thereof seen from the direction of arrow Vin FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is a side view thereof when a foot plate is in atilted condition.

Further, the inner structure of the stretch exercise apparatus of thepresent invention is shown in FIGS. 7-9. FIG. 7 is a cross sectionalview showing the structure of the stretch exercise apparatus in thefirst embodiment of the present invention taken along the VII-VII lineof FIG. 2, FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view thereof taken along theVIII-VIII line of FIG. 6, and FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view thereoftaken along the IX-IX line of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 10-13 show the ways of using the stretch exercise apparatus ofpresent invention. FIG. 10 is a front view showing the operation of thestretch exercise apparatus in the first embodiment of the presentinvention without an angle of the foot plate. FIG. 11 is a side view ofthe stretch exercise apparatus in the same condition of FIG. 10, FIG. 12is a front view showing the operation of the stretch exercise apparatuswhen the foot plate is inclined with use of an angle adjuster, and FIG.13 is a side view of the stretch exercise apparatus in the samecondition of FIG. 12.

As seen from FIGS. 1-9, basically, the stretch exercise apparatus has abase plate 1 and a foot plate 3 attached to the base plate 1. As shownin the bottom view of FIG. 3, the base plate 1 is comprised of a frontpipe member 5, a rear pipe member 7, and a pair of plate members 9 and11 extended between the front pipe member 5 and the rear pipe member 7.Foot members 13 and 15 are attached on the left side and the right side,respectively, of the rear pipe member 7 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. Acurved member 17, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, runs between the footmembers 13 and 15.

The top surface of the foot plate 3, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, isestablished with a left foot pad 19 and a right foot pad 21 made ofnon-slippage material such as rubber. Preferably, the left and rightfoot pads 19 and 21 also have a knurled surface to prevent slippage ofthe feet thereon. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a projected area23 is established between the left foot pad 19 and the right foot pad 21to securely place the foot of the user on each of the foot pads 19 and21.

As shown in FIGS. 4-7, a first angle adjuster 25 and a second angleadjuster 27 are attached to the bottom surface of the foot plate 3.Alternatively, the first angle adjuster 25 and the second angle adjuster27 are attached to the upper surface of the base plate 1. As will bedescribed later, the first angle adjuster 25 is used for inclining thefoot plate 3 with a relatively large angle with respect to the baseplate 1. The second angle adjuster 27 is used for inclining the footplate 3 with a relatively small angle with respect to the base plate 1.

The first angle adjuster 25 is composed of a pair of first angleadjusting arms 29 and 31 provided on the left and right sides,respectively. Similarly, the second angle adjuster 27 is structured by apair of second angle adjusting arms 33 and 35 provided on the left andright sides, respectively. The first angle adjusting arms 29 and 31 arelonger than the second angle adjusting arms 33 and 35. The pair of firstangle adjusting arms 29 and 31 are connected with one another through aconnecting member 37 as shown in FIG. 12. Further, the pair of firstangle adjusting arms 29 and 31 are rotatably attached to the foot plate3 through a shaft 39 as shown in FIG. 4. Moreover, an adjustment knob 41is established on one side of the first angle adjusting arm 31 as shownin FIGS. 4 and 6. Thus, the user can hold the adjustment knob 41 androtate the first angle adjuster 25.

Similarly, the pair of second angle adjusting arms 33 and 35 on the leftand right side are connected with one another through a connectingmember 43 as shown in FIG. 10. Further, the pair of second angleadjusting arms 33 and 35 on the left and right are rotatably attached tothe foot plate 3 through a shaft 45 as shown in FIG. 4. Moreover, anadjustment knob 47 is established on one side of the second angleadjusting arm 35 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Thus, the user can hold theadjustment knob 47 and rotate the second angle adjuster 27.

The structure of the pair of plate members 9 and 11 on the base plate 1is shown in FIG. 8. An engagement member 51 for the second angleadjusting arm 33 and an engagement member 53 for the first angleadjusting arm 29 are established on the plate member 9. Similarly, anengagement member 51 for the second angle adjusting arm 35 and anengagement member 53 for the first angle adjusting arm 31 areestablished on the plate member 11. There are three indentations 55, 57,59 on each of the engagement members 51 for receiving the ends of thesecond angle adjusting arms 33 and 35. Similarly, there are threeindentations 61, 63, 65 on each of the engagement members 53 forreceiving the ends of the first angle adjusting arms 29 and 31. Itshould be noted that the engagement members 51 and 53 will be providedon the lower surface of the foot plate in the case where the first andsecond angle adjusters 25 and 27 are provided on the base plate 1 ratherthan the foot plate 3.

On the curved member 17 noted above, heel supports 71 and 73 areattached to the left and right sides, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 1and 2. The heel support 71 is attached to the curved member 17 through aclamp member 75 as shown in FIG. 7 in a manner rotatable about thecurved member 17. Similarly, the heel support 73 is attached to thecurved member 17 by a clamp member 77 in a manner rotatable about thecurved member 17.

The structure for connecting the foot plate 3 with the base plate isshown in FIGS. 7 and 8 where the both plates are connected in arotatable manner through a shaft 81. Although only schematically shownin FIG. 7, a coil spring 83 is attached to each end of the shaft 81. Forexample, one end of the coil spring 83 is engaged with the base plate 1,and the other end is engaged with the foot plate 3. Therefore, the footplate 3 is always rotatably biased in an upward direction, i.e., adirection for separating from the base plate 1, by the coil spring 83.

However, since the weight of the foot plate 3 exceeds the force of thecoil springs 83, the foot plate 3 is actually closed on the top of thebase plate 1, i.e., in parallel with the base plate 1. Then, forexample, when the foot plate 3 is raised to increase the inclinationangle thereof, the coil springs 83 effectively reduces the weight of thefoot plate 3, thus assisting the user when angle adjustment is needed.This way, the user can raise the foot plate 1 with much less force thanwould be necessary without the coil springs 83.

Various materials can be used for the base plate 1 and the foot plate 3.In the preferred embodiment, POM (polyacetal resin) containing 20-30% ofglass fibers is used, which has high durability.

As shown in FIG. 4, a scale plate 85 can be attached to the stretchexercise apparatus through a scale support member 87 at the center ofthe front pipe 5 of the base plate 1. Moreover, a pressing flange 89 isattached to the scale plate 85 for the user to press down by the tips ofthe fingers when stretching. The scale plate 85 displays the amount ofstretch so that the user can tell the degree of stretch when standing onthe foot plate 3 by reading the scale at the position of the pressingflange 89

The operation of the stretch exercise apparatus of the invention will beexplained with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 shows the conditionwhen the stretch exercise apparatus is not in use, where the foot plate3 is in parallel with the base plate 1.

On the other hand, when the stretch exercise apparatus is being used, itis preferable that the foot plate 3 is angled relative to the base plate1 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In the example of FIGS. 10 and 11, thefoot plate 3 is inclined by the second angle adjuster 27. The userraises the foot plate 3 and rotates the adjustment knob 47 on the secondangle adjuster 27. Then, each tip of the second angle adjusting arms 33and 35 is engaged with one of the indentations 55, 57, 59 on theengagement members 51 and 51. Selection of one of the indentations 55,57, 59 determines the angle of inclination of the foot plate 3, therebyallowing the foot plate 3 to be set at a desired inclined angle.Generally, the second angle adjuster 27 is used to set the stretchapparatus to a gentle angle such as 5-15 degrees.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11, by placing the foot 91 on the foot plate 3,the muscles extending from the bottom of that foot all the way up to theback can be stretched. Especially, the stretch exercise apparatus iseffective in stretching the calves of the user. In the stretch exerciseapparatus of the present invention, the heel supports 71 and 73 rotateaccording to the heel position of the user as shown by the imaginaryline in FIG. 11. Thus, the user feels comfortable when the foot plate 3is inclined.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show the case where the foot plate 3 is inclined by thefirst angle adjuster 25. The user raises the foot plate 3 and rotatesthe adjustment knob 41 on the first angle adjuster 25. Then, each tip ofthe first angle adjusting arms 29 and 31 is engaged with one of theindentations 61, 63, 65 of the engagement members 53. Selection of oneof the indentations 61, 63, 65 determines the angle of inclination ofthe foot plate 3, thereby allowing the foot plate 3 to be set at adesired inclined angle. Generally, the first angle adjuster 25 is usedto set the stretch exercise apparatus to a large angle such as 20degrees or higher.

Then, as shown in FIG. 13, by placing the foot 91 on the foot plate 3,the muscles extending from the bottom of that foot all the way up to theback can be stretched. As noted above, in the stretch exercise apparatusof the present invention, the heel supports 71 and 73 rotate accordingto the heel position of the user as shown by the imaginary line in FIG.13. Thus, the user feels comfortable when the foot plate 3 is inclined.

The following effects can be achieved by the present invention. First,the stretch exercise apparatus is easy to use. This is because both thefirst angle adjuster 25 and the second angle adjuster 27 are establishedon the foot plate 3 and the engagement members 51 for the second angleadjusting arms and the engagement members 53 for the first angleadjusting arms are established on the base plate 1. This structureallows a desired angle of the foot plate by properly rotating the firstangle adjuster 25 or the second angle adjuster 27 so that their tips areengaged with any one of the indentations on the engagement members 51and 53. Since there are no parts to be removed and re-inserted, theadjustment of the angle of the foot plate can be done much faster andeasier than that in the conventional methods.

Further, by installing either the first angle adjuster 25 or the secondangle adjuster 27, the range of the adjustable angle of the foot plate 3is greatly increased. This would provide users various ways and levelsto perform their stretching exercise. For example, an elderly user maywant to start with a very moderate angle of inclination and graduallyincrease the angle. On the other hand, a young and avid user may want toincrease the angle of the foot plate 3 greatly to challenge thestretching exercise. The wider range of adjustment angle of the presentinvention would be able to accommodate various kinds of users withvarious needs and levels.

Further, since the heel support 71 is rotatably attached through theclamp member 75, when the heel position of the user's foot changes dueto the change in the angle of the foot plate 3, the heel support 71 canproperly rotate to an ideal position. Thus, the user will not feel anydiscomfort during the stretching.

Further, the foot plate 3 is always rotatably biased in an upwarddirection by the coil springs 83. This allows the user to raise the footplate 3 easier since only a little force is needed due to the alreadyexerting upward force by the coil springs 83.

Further, since the base plate 1 and the foot plate 3 are made of POM(polyacetal resin) containing 20-30% of glass fibers, high durability isachieved as well. Therefore, the stretch exercise apparatus of thepresent invention will not be damaged after repeated use.

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be explainedwith reference to FIGS. 14A-14B. In this example, the left foot pad 19and right foot pad 21 are embedded with a plurality of permanentmagnets. FIGS. 14A and 14B show the left foot pad 19, where severalindentations 101 are formed on the bottom side of the pad and permanentmagnets 103 are embedded therein.

An example of the specification of such permanent magnets 103 is asfollows:

-   -   Outer diameter: 10 mm    -   Thickness: 2-5 mm    -   Magnetic strength: 1,300 gauss    -   Number: 6 (12 total for both feet)

The above specification is just one example, and various modificationsof the outer diameter, thickness, strength, number, and location arepossible.

According to the structure of the second embodiment, in addition to theeffects achieved in the first embodiment as described above, effectssuch as relaxing stiff muscles and improving blood circulation can beachieved as well.

The present invention is not limited to the first and second embodimentsin the foregoing. For example, the material is not limited to the POMcontaining 20-30% glass fibers. For example, the base plate and the footplate can be made of aluminum die-cast.

Although only a preferred embodiment is specifically illustrated anddescribed herein, it will be appreciated that many modifications andvariations of the present invention are possible in light of the aboveteachings and within the purview of the appended claims withoutdeparting the spirit and intended scope of the invention.

1. A stretch exercise apparatus for stretching muscles of a person, comprising: a base plate; a foot plate rotatably connected to said base plate; an angle adjuster established on a lower surface of the foot plate, and an engagement member established on an upper surface of the base plate for engaging with a tip of the angle adjuster.
 2. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the angle adjuster is composed of a first angle adjuster for adjusting the angle of the foot plate in a large amount and a second angle adjuster for adjusting the angle of the foot plate in a small amount.
 3. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the first angle adjuster is configured by a pair of first angle adjusting arms on left and right sides thereof, and the second angle adjuster is configured by a pair of second angle adjusting arms on left and right sides thereof, wherein the first angle adjusting arm is longer than the second angle adjusting arm.
 4. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the pair of first angle adjusting arms are rotatably mounted on the lower surface of the foot plate, and the pair of second angle adjusting arms are rotatably mounted on the lower surface of the foot plate, wherein an adjustment knob is formed on each of the first angle adjusting arm and the second angle adjusting arm.
 5. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a pair of heel supports on the base plate for supporting heels of a person, wherein the heel supports are rotatably mounted on the base plate so that their angle can be changed in response to a position of the heel based on the change of the angle of the foot plate.
 6. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein an elastic member for reducing a weight of the foot plate during adjustment of the inclination angle of the foot plate is established between the foot plate and the base plate.
 7. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring that is installed at the portion where the base plate and the foot plate are connected rotatably, wherein one end of coil spring is engaged with the base plate and another other end of the coil spring is engaged with foot plate thereby biasing the foot plate in a direction separating from the base plate.
 8. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a scale for showing the amount of flexibility when stretching on the foot plate.
 9. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the base plate and the foot plate are made of polyacetal resin containing 20-30% glass fibers.
 10. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising left and right foot pads made of non-slippage material on the foot plate, wherein each of the left and right foot pads is embedded with a plurality of permanent magnets.
 11. A stretch exercise apparatus for stretching muscles of a person, comprising: a base plate; a foot plate rotatably connected to said base plate; an angle adjuster established on an upper surface of the base plate, and an engagement member established on a lower surface of the foot plate for engaging with a tip of the angle adjuster.
 12. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the angle adjuster is composed of a first angle adjuster for adjusting the angle of the foot plate in a large amount and a second angle adjuster for adjusting the angle of the foot plate in a small amount.
 13. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein the first angle adjuster is configured by a pair of first angle adjusting arms on left and right sides thereof, and the second angle adjuster is configured by a pair of second angle adjusting arms on left and right sides thereof, wherein the first angle adjusting arm is longer than the second angle adjusting arm.
 14. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the pair of first angle adjusting arms are rotatably mounted on the upper surface of the base plate, and the pair of second angle adjusting arms are rotatably mounted on the upper surface of the base plate, wherein an adjustment knob is formed on each of the first angle adjusting arm and the second angle adjusting arm.
 15. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 11, further comprising a pair of heel supports on the base plate for supporting heels of a person, wherein the heel supports are rotatably mounted on the base plate so that their angle can be changed in response to a position of the heel based on the change of the angle of the foot plate.
 16. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein an elastic member for reducing a weight of the foot plate during adjustment of the inclination angle of the foot plate is established between the foot plate and the base plate.
 17. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring that is installed at the portion where the base plate and the foot plate are connected rotatably, wherein one end of coil spring is engaged with the base plate and another other end of the coil spring is engaged with foot plate thereby biasing the foot plate in a direction separating from the base plate.
 18. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 11, further comprising a scale for showing the amount of flexibility when stretching on the foot plate.
 19. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the base plate and the foot plate are made of polyacetal resin containing 20-30% glass fibers.
 20. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 11, further comprising left and right foot pads made of non-slippage material on the foot plate, wherein each of the left and right foot pads is embedded with a plurality of permanent magnets. 